Dear Abby.

Dog Walker Can't Get Off Neighbor's Leash

August 27, 1993|By Abigail Van Buren.

Dear Abby: I am very much in love with a bachelor who lives alone in my building. I'm a divorcee also living alone. It all started out with a "good morning" when we were both walking our dogs. (He has two.)

Pretty soon, he asked me to walk his dogs while walking my own. Then he started coming in after work every evening for a drink. I invited him to dinner several times and we'd watch TV, play backgammon and neck a little. He seems to like me, but he has never invited me out. Meanwhile, I fell for him - but hard!

Two months ago, he said he was going away for the weekend, and I was sure he was going to ask me to go along, but instead, he asked me to keep his dogs!

When he came back for the dogs, he spent the night with me. I couldn't get him off my mind.

Now he goes away every weekend and leaves his dogs with me, and when he comes back, he stays all night. He's driving me crazy. I told him I was in love with him, but he's never committed himself. How can I get him interested in me?

40 and Foolish

Dear Foolish: This is a good deal for him, but a dog's life for you. There's no way you can get him "interested" in you. Break it off now.

Dear Abby: My sister and her husband have a French poodle they call "Zsa Zsa." They have no children, but they treat this dog just like a child. Zsa Zsa eats at the same table with them, and they even had a furrier make her a mink coat and bow to match.

They take Zsa Zsa everywhere with them. (If a place doesn't allow dogs, they won't go there.)

Abby, they even spell in front of this dog because they insist she is so smart, she "understands" every word they say.

Well, I just had a baby girl. We named her Karen Sue, and the last straw was their sending a baby gift with a card saying, "With love to my cousin, Karen Sue, from Zsa Zsa."

Just imagine, putting our child in the same class with their dog! Are they sick, or what?

Sick of Zsa Zsa

Dear Sick: No. As a former poodle owner, I can understand their feelings. Don't judge them too harshly. Some poodles are almost human.

Dear Abby: My children are just average, but they are good kids. I have no outstanding beauties among my daughters, and while they do have friends, none of them is wildly popular. My sons are average students, just fair in sports, but none of them ever made the team.

A relative of mine has outstanding children. They are popular, good-looking and get lots of honors - and he doesn't let me forget it for a moment. What can I say when he collars me and brags on and on about his kids?

Slow Burn

Dear Slow: Nothing. Just because a jackass brays doesn't mean you have to answer him.